Automatic label feeder



Feb. 2s, 1924. 1,485,344

R. H. FENN v AUTOMATIC LABEL FEEDER Original Filed Dec. 26, 1918 3 Shee'cs-Sheeizlv INVNTOH Feb. 26 1924, 1,485,344

` R. H. FENN AUTOMATIC LABEL FEEDER original Filed Dec. ze, 1918 3 sheets-sheetz Feb. 26, 1924. 1;485,344

R. H. FENN AUTOMATIC LABEL FEEDER Original Filed Dec. 26. 1918 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 Fmr/JZ? fd74 /JZZ J73 lll/Vf N TOR Patented Feb. 26, i924.

ROBERT H. Faim, onwmrnsronn, Nnwyoaiz.

VAUTOMATIC LABEL FEEDER.

vOriginal application filed December 26, 1918, Serial Nfo. 268,296. Divided and this application filed' October 7, 1920. Serial No. 415,369. Renewed July 13, 1923.

To all fic/om t may concern.'

citizen of the United States, and resident lof lVliitestone, in the couiityof Queens and State of New York, haveinvented certain new and useful Improvements in Automatic Label Feeders, of which the following isa specification.

This application is a division of my copending application for patent on automatic box machines, Serial No. 268,296, filed Dec. 26, 1918. y i

This invention relates to a mechanism for feeding paper box labels, and is illustrated and described in connection with the above mentioned application for patent on auto matic box machines.

The object of this invention is to provide a device for feeding paper box labels, one at a time, from a stack of labels, to a receiving and conveying carriage; said carriage also to be provided with means for inciden-- tally gumming said labels.

The invention is illustrated in the accompaiiying drawings, and described in the following specification.

In the drawings Fig. l is a front elevation, in part section, of the label feeder, conveyingcarriage and die.

Fig. 2'is a side elevatiom'in part section, of the label feeder, conveying carriage and die.

Fig. 3 is a front elevation of the'label feeder, Y in -part section, with the feeder platen in -top position.

Fig. 4f is a plan view of the label feeder showing labels N on the platen.

Fig. is a sectional view of the label feeder on the line A A of Fig. l.

Fig. 6 is a sectional view of the label feeder on the line A A of Fig. 3.

Fig. 7 is a sectional view of the label feeder on the line B B of Fig. l.

Fig. S is a sectional view of the label feeder on the line B B of Fig. 3.

Fig. 9 is a part view of the label'feeder showing the top label of a stack of labels bulged upwardly.

Fig. l0 is a part view of the label feeder showing the cain for the separator levers. i

Vheld to a setting by the boltsl Jf.

Fig. l1 is a viewof the lower parti-'of the label feeder showing the ratchet pawl just engaging the ratchet wheel.

Fig. l2 is a view showing the cani andV the lever means for vertically reciprocating the feeder.

A description of the mechanism' and its' operation follows.

At E, Figuresl, 2, and 8' is shown a carii'age with its marginal die E1 and the suction plunger E2. It slides on the two horizontal rods E'carried onV the frame of the lA central vertical bearing is provided on the carriage E, through which the suction plunger E2 reciprocates vertically. At the lower end it is provided with a hollow head E29 communicating withgthe tube E2. The head is provided with a Vface E30 shown in Fig. 1, through which small holes, larger atltheir inner end, are drilled, making a suction plate,

through the marginal die but is smaller to provide working clearance, yso that thesuc'Y tion plunger head can reciprocate vertically through the marginal die. v I

Tliebox label feeder J (J is used to de' note the entire label feeding mechanisnias shown in various views, positions, sections, etc., in'Figs. l to l2 inclusive) consistsy of a yoke Vplaten J1 `from the lower arm of which thev barrel J2e-depends. The barrelY by means of the two pinsY E25, Figures l and 3.

The suction plunger headY lapproximates the shape ofV`V the opening The operaty J2 issupported and guided inthe bearing J3, which is separate from the frame B3 of the machine, and is adjustable laterally, an'd The lower end of the barrelJ 2 is closed by thewasher J5, againstY the bottom of which, they barrel roller J presses. Y

The roller J6 is rotatably mounted on the end of the lever J7 which is carried on the shaft J8 which has bearings in the frame B4.

tit

The cam J2 Fig. l2, through its cam lever, cam roller, cam washer and cam rod J10 which screws into the rod end J11, pivotally connected to the lever J7, reciprocates the barrel J2 and yoke platen J1 and attached parts in accordance with the cam outline.

Projecting upwardly from the yoke platen J1, Fig. l, are the t-wovside arms J13 which are guided by the guide arms J11, and the two end arms J15, which are guided by the two guide arms J1G. Also projecting vertically upwards from the yoke or platen J1 are the four label guides J17, which engage the labels N as shown in Fig. Ll.

Slidably mounted on the tour label guides J, are the screw platen J18 and t-he box label platen J. .Pinned into the screw platen J18 is the feed screw J20, threaded from end to end. Between the arms of the yoke platen J1, and threaded on the screw J20 is the ratchet J21, which has abearing on the top of the barrel J2.

The underside of the ratchet wheel J 21 is is provided with teeth J22. The pawl J23 is nivotally mounted on the bearing J3 at J 24. It has a lower arm J25 to which the spring J 2f", fastened at J27, is attachede Projecting from the pawl J24 there is also a lug J 28 which, as the spring pulls the arm J25, rotates the pawl until the lug strikes the stop spring J29 as shown in Fig. l1 which also shows the yoke platen J1 descending, and the pawl J2 about to strike one of the teeth J22. As the yoke descends the ratchet wheel tooth J22 engages the pawl, and the iatchet wheel is rotated to the left, the space of one tooth. Fig. l

shows the yoke platen J1 at the bottom otv its stroke.

The compression springs J 2, one around each label guide J12, and resting on the screw platen J1, support the label platen J19 resiliently.v so that any labels placed on the label platen, reciprocate as a whole with the yoke platen J1 and also move upwardly, relatively to the yoke platen J1, as the ratchet wheel is rotated to the left. The teeth J22 on the ratchet wheel and the number ot threads on the screw are arranged so that for each r eiprocation of the yoke platen J1 the label platen moves upwardly, relatively to the yoke, a distant-e a little I@greater than the thickness of the thickest label used. A slot in the label platen J31 slidably engages the rib J32 on the arm J15 and steadies and prevents rotation ot the label platen about its vertical axis relative to the guide arms J15 and J12.

To prevent the ratchet wheel from rotat. ing backwards as the yoke J1 lifts away from the pawl J2, the check pawl Jas, pivotally supported and held in operating position by the lea-t spring J34 which is mounted at Jar, sov that it can be swung to one side, allowingthe check pawl J33 to drop away from the ratchet Wheel teeth J 22. This is necessary when the screw platen J1S, having reached its highest position, is lowered by turning the ratchet wheel to the right after pulling the pawl J22 down out of Contact with the ratchet wheel teeth.

Pivotally mounted on each end arm J13 are the separator levers JSG. Each is constructed and operated as follows: The spring J37 keeps the lever J 36 always pulled toward the arm J15 so that the lower end J"2 always rides against the guide arm J1. The separator lever J36 is carried in the slot J11 Fig. 4 and is fastened tothe pin J 4 which is rotatably and slidably mounted in the portion ot the arm at each side of the slotY J11. Between the head of the said pin J1" and the side of the armJ15 is the eX-y panding spring J 12 which tends to keep the whole separator lever J36 pulled over against the left side of the slot J 41. But on the. side ot each lever J2G, just below the slots J,

a 'e the small cams J43 Fig. l, which areV the. upper end of the lever J 26 which carries a spring supported rubber pusher J 4, moves inwardly and downwardly, asshown in Fig. 9, until, both levers acting, the pushers strike the top label of a stack carried on the label platen, and push each end of the top label toward the centre which bellies it up as shown. This separates the top label from those beneath and leaves a film of air between.

As the feeder continues to rise the part J slides upwardly and out of the cam groove J, reaching the straight surface J, and the pushers rise and move outwardly. As soon as T38 is out of the cam groove, the cam J4*3 having also moved upwardly and out of engagement with the pin J, the spring J 42 pulls the separator lever J36 to the leftso that when the feeder descends, the lower portion J38 of the lever J36 rides on the wall J 48, therefore the pushers J1G do not move inwardly as the feeder descends. As it descends however, the. earn lug J43 as before explained, again contacts with the pin J11 and the separator lever J 36 is again moved to they right and J3B is again ready to drop into the cam groove J4 on the next upward stroke.

Pivotally mounted on the side arms JH 1,485,344 Y Y ,j j el ing yscrews .T51, and held in contact by the leaf springs .T55., To the upper end of the lever .T 5 is attached the Vthin. parting spring .T 52. Y.

The adjusting screws arel so set, that just at the instant the label pushers have bellied up thelabel, the lower portion of the parting lever .T552 also over the adjusting parting spring .T52 to move inwardly and betweenrthe top label, which has been bellied up, and the stack of labels below, as shown in Fig. 3. Tt remains in this position until the feeder descends and the lever .T 55 again striking the adjusting screw .T51, moves inwardly, while the parting spring;.T 52 moves outwardly ready for the next upward stroke. T he function of the parting springs is to prevent anyv of the lower labels from being extracted from the feeder when the topmost label is being withdrawn.

Each upper end of the guide arms .T 17 is slotted anda flat label holder .T 53 is pivotally mounted in the slot so that it presents a narrow edge toward the label and is held pressed toward them bythe leaf spring .T 55. T heY upper part of .T 55 is bevelled upwardly and outwardly and the lower portion down; wardly and inwardly. The upper portion is so Vma-de as toiprovide clearance for the marginal die El when the feederis at ther top of its stroke as in Fig. 3. The lower portion is so made that the labels which fit loosely between the guide arms .T12 whenV being pushed upwardly by the label platen will centre themselves exactly, and also be held below the points .T553 above which point the labels are never fed,'so that they'donot fly ofi' when the feeder reciprocates.

Pivotally mounted on the label'platen .T 19, Fig. l, is the pressure link .T55, whose foot .T57 slidably fits into a slot .T 55 in the screwy platen .T15` lli-Then the feeder rises with a stacky of labels as in Fig. 3 and the labels come in contact with the marginal die El, the springs .T35 compress and the foot of the pressure link .T 57 slides to the leftin the slot .T58.

Referring to Fig. 5 the foot .T58 is shown in starting position, in contact with the arm` .T55 of the upper collar J5", the spring .T51V

acting through the arm .T 52 maintaining the arm .T 55 always in contact with the foot J5?. The upper collar .T 55 is mounted and pinned fast to the vertical square rod .T 55 which eX- tends downwardly from the label platen,

through the screw platen and through av bearing .Tl4 in the barrelbearing J3. .Tust above the bearing .T 54 and resting on it and held down by the clip .T55 is the lower collar .T55 provided with a square hole, approxi-` mately .the same size as the square rod .T 55 which slidably passes through it.l There-V fore when the upper collar .T55 rotates to the left-as the'link .T57` pushes' it, whenthe -movingl upward slidesV screw .T51 allowing the' springs .T55 are compressed, Aas .the.feeder rises to the top'of its stroke, the rod .T55 also rotates the lower'collar .T55 to t-he left.A On the lower collar .T 55is an arm .T 5? Figs. 7 andr 8 lagainst which the lower arm of the pawl.y

.T 25 is held in contact'by the springi.T25.

Figs. 7 and .1l `show the positionr of .T57

andthel pawl .T 25 before the feeder rises.i Figs. 8 and 3 show theirV positions when the feeder has reachedthe top of its stroke and in Fig. 3 in position so that the nose .Tlo'is 'so p in contact with, and under, the lug .T22'ofv the pawl .T 25, thereby holding the pa'WlfJ23` down so that .when the. feeder descends the `pawl will not come in cont-act with the teeth .T22 of the ratchet wheel .T21. rIhe ratchet wheel therefore will not be rotated, and theV screw and the label platen will not be fed'- upwardly.

Tn order to release therspring` .T58 the re-v lease pin .T71 F ig. 3 is provided. When the feeder descends, this release pin strikes the upperV part of the spring .T55 and pushes it awav from the aawl luO- .T25 as shown in Fi 17. The pawl, released, is immediately pulled Vto normal position by the spring .T 25,

the label platen havingin the meantime raised, asthe springs .T39 againV expanded,

allowing thesquare rod..T53 to rotate back to its normal position. l. Y Y A the feeder is so arranged, that 'with the labelson the label 1 lIn operation, the stroke'of platen, and the vfeeder at the top ofits stroke, the pressure of the -labels against the marginal dielil1 is suflicient to compress lthe springs .T35 just enough so that the pawl .T 23. actuated bythe square rod .T 55, and at*-v tached 'parts as above described, is depressed similar to theposition Vshown in Fig. 3 but just a little higher so that the nose .T70 of; Vthe leaf spring .T 55 ydoes lug .T 25. Y Y v This is the normal condition when the labels are just at the right height. But, since not catch under the at each upward stroke Vof theL feeder, a label 1 is removed from the top ofthe lpile of labels, and for each stroke ofthe feeder the pile is fed upwardly a distanceV greater than the thickness of the'label, it is evident, that f after a number `of strokes the labels would be too high and'some would fall fromv Vbemore than normal and consequentljnf'the pawl` J23, through the mechanism intervening between the label platenand itself,

is. depressed until the nose J70 does catch under the lug J 2S of the pawl and holds it depressed so that when the feeder descends, the pawl, not engaging the ratchet wheel teeth, the screw and label platens are fed no higher for that stroke. By the above means the -labels are always maintained at the correct operative height and the pressure requisite for the attainment of the imprint of the adhesive from the marginal die Y is maintained practically a constant.

An ladjustment is alsoI provided to rotate the feeder slightly about its vertical axis so as to slightly change the position of the label .N relatively to the marginal die El. The

object of this is to change the position of the label on the feed slide, since the carriage and suction plunger maintain the labels in thesame position at it occupied in the feed.-

er, when it deposits it on the feed slide, in

order to make the sides of the label parallel with the sides of the box blank folded around the expansible plunger. This is accomplished by the bar J 72 Figs. l and 9 held in place by the screws J. Depending from this bar is the rod J 74 over which the slot J T5 in the arm J13 slides. The feeder is rotated by moving the bar J 72 as required, forward or'back.

In operation the die E1 having been coated with an adhesive, is moved directly over the feeder J. The feeder has, in the meantime, been rising. The top label is separated fro-m the lower ones, and as the feeder reaches the top of its stroke, the top label is pressed against the under side of the marginal die E1. Then the suction plunger E2 descends and the plunger head E29 rests upon the top label and continues down in contact with it as the feeder descends. Just as the plunger head E29 contacts with the top label, appropriate means, not shown, opens an air suction acting through the holes in the face of the plunger E30, and sucks the label tightly against it. Y Therefore when the suction plunger stops its descent, a. short distance above the table B1, the top label is held fast Vto it, while the feeder, with the balance of the labels, descends to the bottom of its stroke.

It is obvious that the action of the suction plunger head would be the same whether the die E1 is coated with adhesive or not. That is, the feeder will feed the labels to the suction plunger whe-ther they are marginally coated with adhesive or not.

lVhat I claim is :n

l. In an automatic box machine, a label feeder comprising a vertically reciprocated yoke platen with cam means for operating the same, said yoke platen provided with a hollow shaft extending below, and a bearing therefor; vertical arms extending upwardly from the sides of said yoke platen and guides therefor.

2. In an automatic box machine, a label feeder comprising a vertically reciprocated yokepl-aten with cam means. for operating the same, said yoke platen provided with a hollou7 shaft extending below, and a bearing therefor; vertical arms extending upwardly from the sides of said yoke pla-ten, and guides, external of said feeder, therefor, together with label guides extending vertically upwards from said yoke plat-en.

3. In an automatic box machine, a. label feeder comprising a vertically reciprocated yoke platen with cam means for operating the same, said yoke plat en provided with a hollow shaft extending below, and a bearing therefor; vertical arms extending upwardly from* the sides of said yoke platen, and

guides, external ofsa-id feeder, therefor; together with a screw platen provided with a screw extending downwardly through said yoke platen and into said hollow shaft, a, ratchet wheel between said yoke platen and said hollow shaft, threaded to lit said screw, carried on saine, having a bearing on the top of said hollow shaft and operatedx by a pawl pivoted on said hollow shaft bearing.

4. In an automatic box machine, a label feeder comprising a vertically reciproca'ited yoke platen with cam means for operating the same, said yoke platen providedwith a hollow shaft extending below, and a bearing therefor; vertical arms extending upwardly from the sides of said yokev platen, and guides, external of said feeder, therefor;` a screw plat-en provided with a downwardly extending screwV passing through said yoke vplaten into said hollow shaft, a ratchet wheel between said yoke pla-ten and said hollow shaft, threaded to fit said screw, carried on same and having a bearing on the top of said hollow shaft and operated by a pawl pivoted on said hollow shaft bearing, together with label guides extending vertically upward from said yoke Vplaten and n passing through clearance holes in said screw platen.

5. In an automatic box machine, a label feeder comprising a vertically reciprocated yoke platen with cam means for operating the same, said yoke platen provided with a hollow shaft extending below, and a bea-ring therefor; vertical arms extending upwardly from the sides of said yoke platen, and guides, external of said feeder, therefor.; a screw platen provided with a downwardly extendingv screw passing through said yoke platen into said hollow shaft, a ratchet wheel betweenr said yoke platen and said hollow shaft, threaded to fit said screw, carried on same, and having a bearing on top of said hollow shaft and operated by a pawl pivoted on said hollow shaft bearing, together with label guides extending vertically upward from said `yoke platen and passing through clearance holes ,in said '1,485,344.- V f e* screw platen; an upper label platen, slidably mounted on said label guides, with springs resting onV saidgy screw platenV and resiliently supporting said label platen.

6. In .an automatic box machine, a label feeder comprising a vertically reciprocated yoke platen with cam means for operating the same, -said yoke platen provided with a hollow shaft extending below, and a bearing therefor; vertical arms extending upwardly Vfrom the sides of said yoke'platen, and

guides, external of said feeder, therefor; a screw platen provided with a downwardly extending screw passing through said yoke platen into said hollow shaft, a ratchet wheel between said yoke platenV and said hollow shaft, threaded to fit said screw, carried on same and having a bearing on top of said hollow shaft, with; means to operate said ratchet wheel, together with label guides extending vertically upwardly flrom said yoke platen and passing through clearance holes in said screw platen; an upper label platen, slidably mounted on said label guides, with springs resting on said screw platen and resiliently supporting said label platen together with means in said label platen for slidably engaging. a plurality of said vertical arms. p

Y 7. In an automatic box` machine,fa label feeder comprising a` vertically reciprocated yoke platen, with cam Vmeans for operating the same, provided with a hollow shaft extending below from a yoke, and a bearing therefor; vertical arms extending upwardly from the sides of said yoke platen and guides therefor; a screw platen provided with a screw adapted to extend downwardly, through said platen, into said hollow shaft; a ratchet wheel between said yoke platen and said hollow shaft threaded to fit said screw, carried on same, and havingV a bearing on top of said yoke hollow shaft; label guides extending upwardly fro-m said yoke platen and passing through clearance holes in said screw platen; an upper label platen slidably mounted on said label guides and provided with slotted lugsslidably engaging a plurality of said vertical arms; springs resting on said screw platen and resiliently suD- porting said label' platen; a link, pivotally mounted on said label platen, adapted Lto slide in a groove in` said screw platen; a rod passing vertically through said label platen, screw platen, yoke platen and a bracket cxtending from the bearing of said 'hollow shaft; a lever fastened near the upper end of said rod, resting on saidV screw platen and heldin contact with said link by spring means; a pawl lever slidably mounted on and engaging said rod, and mounted in a bearing on said bracket so that motion communicated to said link, causes said rod to rotate about its vertical axis, transmitting its motion to said pawl lever; a pawl adapted to engage the teeth of said ratchet wheel,

and pivotally mounted on said hollow shaft bearing; an arm attached to the hub ofsaid pawl maintained in contact with said pawl lever by spring means; a stoptoengage a lug on saidjpawl; a leaf spring adaptedto engagesaid pawl and a pin extending downwardly froml said yoke platen adapted to release said leaf springfrom engagement with said pawl lug when said yoke platen ydescends; a stop pawl, Vcarried on the side of said'yoke platen, spring actuated'and powheel from turning when saidA yoke plat/en rises, and means to release said stop pawl from contact with said ratchet.

8. In :an automatic boxV machine, a label feeder comprising ka vertically Y reciprocated ycke platen, with cam means'for operating the same, an intermediate platen Vcarried by said yoke platen, an Vupper platen re- 'loA sitiOned, 'adapted' Ato maintain said ratchet silientlyr supported from said intermediate platen; arms extending vertically from saidV the top label from a stack carried on said l upper platen, as said yoke platen Yrises; pin

and 'cam means to restore said sepa-ratingv means to its initial operating Aposition (when said label platen descends); Y 9. In anautomatic. box machine, a label feeder comprising a vertically reciprocatedr` yoke platen with cam means for operating the same, anV intermediate platen, carf ried b-y said yoke platen, an upper platen resiliently supportedY from said intermediate platen; arms extending vcr-fV ticallyy from*- said yoke platen engaged by lugs on said upper platen, with guides for said arms; label guides extending vertically from said yoke platen through clearance holes in said upperplaten; spring actuated means, pivotally supportedy onsaid yoke platenv arms and operated by conta-ct with cam means, carried by Vsaid yoke platen arm guides, to separate the'top'l'abel froma stack carried on said uppervplaten, as saidyoke platen rises; pinand cam means to restore said separating means to its initial operating position (when said yokeplaten descends) together" with spring actuated means pivotally mounted on said yoke platen arms, operatedby contact-with an adjust'af ble screw, adapted to intervene between said top label and those beneath, and to retain the lower labels'in position, jas said'top label is'removed. i L Y 10. ln an 'automatic 'box machine, a labelV feeder comprising a vertically reciprocate-d CII yoke platen with cam means tor operating the same, an intermediate platen, an upper platen resiliently supported 'from said intermediate platen; label guides extending, vertically from said yoke platen, through clearance holes in said upper .platen 'together with label retainers, pivotally mounted in slots in the upper portion of said label guides, and adapted to be held in contact with a. stack ot labels on said upper platen by spring means carried on said label guides, substantially as described.

11. Ina-n automatic box machine, a label feeder comprising a vertically reciprocated platen, an intermediate platen, carried by, and automatically adjustable, vertically, in rela-tion to said platen; a label platen resiliently supported from said intermediate platen; label guides adapted to position and maintain a stack of labels on said label platen; label holders pivotally mounted and spring positioned in slots in the upper ends or" said label guides; together with means to present a stop to contact against said stack of labels, as it approaches its highest position, to cause pressure between said labels and said stop and to cause said label platen to move relatively toward said intermediate platen.

12. ln an automatic box m'a'chine, a label feeder comprising a vertically reciprocated yoke platen, an intermediate platen, carrier by, and automatically adjustable, vertically, in rel'ation to said yoke platen; a label platen resiliently supported from said intermediate platen; label guides adapted to positionand maintain stack of labels on said label plat-- en; means to present a stop to contact against said stack of labels, as it approaches its highest position, to cause pressure between said labels and said stop and to cause said label platen to move, relatively, toward said intermediate platen together with a suction head operating through said Stop adapted to hold the top label, oi said stack of labels, to itself by suction as said yoke platen moves downwardly.

13. In an automatic box machine, a label feeder comprising a vertically reciprocated yoke platen, an intermediate platen, carried by, and automatically adjustable, v rtically, in relation to said yoke platen; a label plate-11 resiliently supported from said intermediate platen; label guides adapted to position and maintain a stack of labels on said label platen; means to present a stop to contact against said stack of labels, as it approaches its highest position, to cause pressure between said labels and said stop and to cause said label platen to move, relatively, toward said intermediate platen; a suction head operating through said stop adapted to hold the top label, of said Stack of labels, to itseli1 by suction as said yoke platen moves downwardly, together with means to move said suction head and said stop to convey said label and deposit it on a receiving means.

11i. ln an automatic -box machine, a label feeder comprising a vertically reciprocated yoke platen, an intermediate platen, carried by, and automatically adjustable, vertically, in relation to said yoke platen; a label platen resiliently supported from said intermediate platen; label guides adapted to position and maintain a stack of labels on said label platen together with means to present a stop to contact against said stack oit labels, as it approaches its highest position, to cause pressure between said labels and said stop and to cause said lab-el platen to move, relatively, ytoward said intermediate platen together with means actuated by the reciprocation of said yoke platen, adapted to automatically readjust the intermediate platen relatively to the" yoke platen during each reciprocation of said yoke platen.

15. -ln an automatic box machine, a. label feeder comprising a' vertically reciprocated yoke pla-ten, an intermediate platen, carried by, and automatically adjustable, vertically, in relation to said yoke platen; a

label platen resiliently supported from saidl intermediate platen; label guides adapted to position and maintain a stack of labels on said label platen; means to present a stop to contact against said stack of labels, as it .approaches its highest position, to cause pressure between said labels andsaid stop and to cause said label k,platen to move, relatively, toward said intermediate platen; means actuated by the reciprocation of said yoke platen, adapted to kautomatically .readjust the intermediate platen, relatively to the yoke platen, during each reciprocation oit' said yoke platen together with means actuated by the relative movement of said label platen to said intermediate platen to prev-ent said readjustment of said intermediate platen to said yoke platen.

16. ln an automatic box machine, a label feeder comprising' a vertically reciprocated voke platen, an intermediate platen, carried by, and automatically adjustable, vertically', in relation to said yoke platen; a label platen resiliently supported from said :intermediate platen; label guides adapted to position and maintain a stack of labels on said label platen, said label guides provided with mea-ns to hold said labels. on said label platen while it moves relatively to said intermediate platen and reciprocates with said yoke platen, and to prevent more than the top label from being removed from said stack of labels.

17. In an automatic box machine, a label feeder comprising ya vertically reciprocated 

